Dehydration

Dehydration: Causes, Symptoms, Health
Dangers And Treatment

Dehydration, characterised by the excessive
loss of water from the body, is a serious condition which if not treated
can have fatal health consequences, especially in infants, yound children
and elderly people. If swallowing is difficult due to extreme illness,
or when people cannot respond to a sense of thirst because of age, illness
of lack of consciousness, the resulting failure to replenish water loss
will lead to rapid dehydration. A dehydrated condition is closely linked
to disturbances in sodium or potassium levels (electrolytes that help
regulate fluid levels), thus treatment of dehydration typically requires
both the replacement of water lost from the body and the restoration of
normal concentrations of electrolytes within the body fluid.

Causes Of Dehydration

Dehydration is caused by water loss or
by inadequate water intake. The commonest cause is failure to drink enough
water, although severe perspiration is a significant cause in hot climates
or bouts of hot weather. Fluid loss caused by episodes of diarrhea (especially
in children and old people) can also cause rapid dehydration.

In addition, loss of sodium (salt) from
the body typically leads to a loss of water. Therefore, abnormally low
levels of salt in body fluids may cause a person to become dehydrated.
Kidney (renal) failure and Addison's disease (adrenal cortical insufficiency)
are two conditions that may - if untreated - lead to sodium depletion
and dehydration.

Symptoms And Health Consequences Of Dehydration

The early signs and health effects of dehydration
vary according to whether the patient is dehydrating due to water loss
with some accompanying loss of sodium, or because of a loss of salt with
some water loss.

Loss Of Water

The main symptom of dehydration caused
by water depletion is thirst, which can become extreme. Other typical
symptoms include: reduced urination, as well as a slight increase in the
amount of urea in the blood.

Loss Of Salt Greater Than Loss Of Water

Typical symptoms of dehydration caused
by sodium depletion include: extreme lassitude, fainting when standing
up, excessive urea in the blood, a decrease in the fluid content of the
blood, and a fall in blood pressure. The dehydrated patient may also experience
vomiting and cramps. Urination is not commonly affected to begin with,
and thirst is usually absent.

Symptoms Of Worsening Dehydration

As the patient becomes more dehydrated
- irrespective of the cause - symptoms include: weight loss (2-3 pounds
per day), dryness of the mouth, decreased production of saliva, impaired
swallowing, shrinkage of tissue, dry/wrinkled skin, headache, raised pulse,
shrunken eyes, and fever. As dehydration and salt loss progresses, blood
output from the heart decreases, while sweating may cease entirely. Body
temperature then rises precipitously. If urination falls too low in response
to the dehydrated condition of the body, the kidney becomes unable to
excrete toxic waste products. The combined effect of high temperature,
reduced blood output and kidney malfunction is irreversible shock and
death. Typically this occurs in previously healthy adults after a water
loss of about 12-15 liters (3-3.75 gallons), but may occur much more quickly
in the very young or very old.

Treatment For Dehydration

As explained above, when you lose enough
water to be seriously dehydrated, you also become deficient in electrolytes
- the mineral compounds (like salt) needed to maintain a healthy fluid
balance and regulate body temperature. The World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends the following dietary response to serious dehydration caused
(eg) by diarrhea. It is designed as a fast replenishment of fluid and
electolyte levels.

Anti-Dehydration Treatment Method

Take two glasses. Into the first, put 8
ounces of orange juice, a pinch of salt and half a teaspoon of sweetener
such as honey or corn syrup. Into the second, put 8 ounces of bottled
or distilled water, and one quarter teaspoon of baking soda. Sip from
each glass in turn until they are empty.

Treatment Of Dehydration In Children And
Elderly

Where dehydration is rapid, or where it
occurs in infants, young children or elderly patients, no time should
be lost in treating the condition, which may require urgent medical attention.
Call your doctor or emergency healthline.